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Angels draft boxing legend Ali's son

Angels draft boxing legend Ali's son

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By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

His world-famous father lived for the late rounds, winning his fights with his famous rope-a-dope strategy. A late round -- the 40th, to be precise -- was where Asaad Ali, the youngest son of boxing great Muhammad Ali, was selected.

Asaad Ali, a 5-foot-10, 224-pound catcher who was adopted by Ali and his wife, Lonnie, in 1992, led Niles (Mich.) High School to the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West Division championship and went deep in the clinching game of a two-game sweep over Benton Harbor for the title last month.

"He's a guy we'd like to see more of this summer. Being Muhammad Ali's son, he's naturally attracting a lot of attention, like Jake Locker," said Angels scouting director Eddie Bane. "We have some good reports on Ali. He's a big kid who needs to get in better shape, but he can do that. We'll keep an eye on him and see how he develops."

The 18-year-old batted .367 with four doubles, two home runs and 18 RBIs in 25 games and was named to the Michigan Division 2 All-District Baseball Team. His high school team won 20 games for a second consecutive season after winning just eight during his freshman year.

A two-sport athlete, Asaad Ali also played football for the Vikings as a running back and ran for 50 yards and a touchdown in his team's final game of the season.

Asaad is the youngest of Muhammad Ali's nine children, and his only child with current wife Lonnie. The couple adopted Asaad as a baby when Lonnie's sister was asked by a friend to watch the child until Asaad could be placed through adoption. However, after seeing Asaad during a visit, Muhammad and Lonnie decided to adopt him.

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.